The taking of antlerless deer in wildlife management areas is controlled by area regulations or by antlerless deer permits. There is no antlerless deer season on wildlife management areas as there is on private lands.

An antlerless deer permit allows for the take of one antlerless deer.

Most management areas allow the taking of antlerless deer during the archery season (check specific area regulations). Taking antlerless deer during muzzleloading gun season or general gun season on most wildlife management areas requires an antlerless deer permit.

Antlerless deer permits for most wildlife management areas are issued through the quota hunt program. Applicants who submit a General Gun, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Youth, Family, or Mobility-Impaired quota application during the Phase I random drawing will be asked if they want to be included in the antlerless deer drawing. Hunters who are exempt from quota hunt permit requirements must submit a quota hunt application during the Phase I application period, and be awarded a hunt approved for antlerless deer permit, to be eligible for the antlerless deer drawing.

Exempt hunters who want to be included in antlerless deer permit drawings for applicable WMA quota hunts that allow exemptions must apply online during phase I and must be successful in the quota random drawing.

In late August, after reviewing deer population surveys, biologists will make a recommendation as to which areas and which hunts should receive a limited number of antlerless deer permits. Those hunters who received a quota hunt permit during the Phase I random drawing for the hunts approved for antlerless deer permits, and who answered yes to the antlerless deer question, will be included in the antlerless deer drawing. Members of a group quota application will compete individually in the antlerless deer permit drawing.

The antlerless deer permit drawing is conducted in September. Successful applicants who have provided an e-mail address will be notified by e-mail when the drawing is completed. Antlerless deer permits will be mailed directly to successful applicants. You can check the status of the antlerless deer drawing.

Hunters who missed the Phase I random drawing, hunters who were not issued a quota permit in the Phase I random drawing, hunters who were issued a quota permit during the Phase I random drawing for a hunt not approved for antlerless deer permits, and hunters who were issued a quota permit for a hunt approved for antlerless deer permits, but who answered no to the antlerless deer question, are not eligible for the antlerless deer drawing.

Antlerless deer permits for wildlife management areas in the recreational use program and the special-opportunity program are issued by random drawing from all hunters who hold a recreational use permit or special-opportunity permit for an area or hunt approved for antlerless deer permits.